La Costa Motel was built in the 1950s and was nominated as one of the original ‘Highway Heritage’ motels of the Gold Coast. 12 years ago, owners John and Diane Cartmill bought La Costa Motel and Flats at Bilinga, a 50 year old weatherboard motel opposite the Gold Coast Airport.

The early Gold Coast motels were initially small establishments of often no more than a dozen rooms, owned and operated by husband and wife teams. Many motels were designed without the benefit of architects. Plans were basic. Operators sought consumer attraction by...